Monday, 12 October 2009
The Armenian Diaspora seems to have been the most furious over the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia in Zurich, Switzerland on October 10, 2009. But why does an agreement whereby two nations try to normalize their relations bring about that much fury?
The answer to that question lies in the fact that the raison d’être of the Armenian Diaspora’s existence and the style in which it expresses itself are grounded on their hatred of Turkey and their conviction of ‘genocide.’ This, as a consequence, creates a fundamental difference between the Armenian Diaspora and Armenia Armenians in terms of their perspectives on various issues. Armenians living in Armenia live in this region and they are well aware of the thousand-year-old historical treasure they possess. Yet, the Diaspora has determined the year 1915 as the starting point in their history. Besides, the Armenian Diaspora, which never had a state of its own, lives in a virtual life and it mistakenly broke with history and regional realities.
An Armenian representative in Jerusalem revealed how the Diaspora views the protocols signed when he said that “April 24 and October 10 are days for mourning for us. We lost our historical lands in those days. The dream that Turkey will be made to recognize the ‘genocide’ has been thrown to the dustbin of history as well.” Undoubtedly, the Diaspora sees claims of ‘genocide’ as irreversible and unquestionable verses of an absolute religion. The fact that the October 10 protocols envisage the foundation of a commission of history to investigate the claims of ‘genocide’ is for the Diaspora what opening a holy book means to a religious person. This accounts for all the anger.
Avadiyan, the head of the Armenian Federation in Sweden, who said that “the protocols will destroy the relationship between the Diaspora and Armenia”, also said that the first thing they will do, will be “to stop financing Armenia.” Apparently, the Diaspora has declared an all-out war against the process of normalizations of relations between Turkey and Armenia through all available means, including political, economic, diplomatic, and intellectual.
The process during which Yerevan has tried to overcome the Diaspora obstacle and bring ‘October 10’ to life signals a tough upcoming period thenceforth. Armenia needs Turkey to stand on its feet due to its economic and demographic difficulties and that it is a landlocked country in the Caucasus. Therefore, the fundamental difference between the Armenia Armenians and the Diaspora that we talked about before is one between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. Following a real-politik and staying close to peace, there are two outstanding issues on which the Yerevan government will have to persuade the Diaspora: that they cannot live on donations anymore and Armenian history does not begin with April 24.
The Armenian Diaspora that derives its existence, history, culture and belief from April 24 will hardly stand the peace process. This is because a reasonable and realistic perspective that is not loaded with historical claims or emotions lies at the center of the peace process. The Diaspora, in contrast, expects a dogmatic historical presumption that will never be challenged. The October 10 protocols destroy such a dream. However, as known by the signatories to the protocols, it is not only the Armenian Diaspora that constitutes an impediment to the healthy functioning of the process.
In consequence, the peace process between Armenia and Turkey is no exception to the assertion that it is always hard to establish peace. The maintenance of conflicts and disputes is linked to oaths of revenge and wrath-based mental comfort one has in it. Is this not the reason why animosity and dispute between nations have continued for years? Is not the political will to open a new chapter ridiculed with the question, “is it up to you to save the nation?” To do the otherwise would require you to alter the extant paradigms. This is why new openings necessitate new redefinitions, long studies, and considerable effort. Hopefully, the Yerevan and Ankara governments have the determination, will and wisdom to help the October 10 process come true.
*This piece penned by Ihsan Bal was first published in HABERTURK newspaper on October 13, 2009.
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